Landing-net.



UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

LUKE FRENCH AND BARNEY T. REILLY, OF WILKES-BARRE, PENN- SYLVANIA.

LANDING-NET.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented June 12, 1906.

T0 a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, LUKE FRENCH and BARNEY T. REILLY, citizens of the United States, residing at Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Landing-Nets, of which the following is a specification. f

The present invention relates to an improvement in landing-nets for use by iishermen, and has for its object to provide a simple and easily-mani ulated device by means of which the mout of such a net may be closed at the will of the user, so as to positively prevent the escape of a fish from the net.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is la plan view of a landing-net constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the bag and devices for engaging the frame thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a portion of the handle. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating the position of the parts when the mouth of the ag is closed, Fig. 5 is a view of the under side of a section of the handle and a portion of the bag-supporting frame. Fig. 6 is a detail view.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the device com rises a suitable handle 1 and a bag-net 2, w ich is supported beyond one end of said handle by a suitable frame. As shown, said frame, which is commonly formed of heavy wire and has the bag 2 suitably connected therewith, consists of two members 3 4, each bent to rovide a substantially semicircular curve section at one end and a relatively straight section adjacent the other end. The straight sections of said members 3 4 of the bag-supporting frame are mounted in suitable bearings on the lower side of a plate 5, which is connected with the handle 1, and the curved sections of the members 3 4 are pivotally connected, as at 6, whereby said sections are adapted to swing or rock into either of the ositions shown in full and dotted lines in t e drawings. It will be seen that when the members v3 4 are in the osition represented in full lines the mouth ofp the bag will be opened, and when said members are in the position indicated by dotted lines the mouth of the bag will be closed. About each of the straight sections of the members of the bag-supporting frame is arranged a coiled spring 7, one end 8 of said springs bearing against the plate 5 and the other end 9 extending across the frame member by which it is supported, the free ends of such frame members being bent laterally and, as shown, projected beyond the sides of the plate 5. The springs 7 therefore act to normally hold the members of the bag-supportingvframe in such osition as to close the mouth of the bag, and 1n order to maintain the bag open means are provided for engaging said frame members and holding them in the position shown in full lines against the pressure of said springs. Various forms of devices for holding the mouth of the bag open may be provided.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings a sliding catch or locking-plate 10 is mounted on the aforesaid plate 5, being connected therewith by screws 11, which extend freely through slots 12 in the plate 10. Said plate 10 is provided at one end with arms 13, which extend across the side edges of the plate 5 and have formed in one edge recesses or grooves 14, adapted to receive the laterally-bent ends of the members 3 4 of the bag-supporting frame when the latter are in position to open the mouth of the bag. Coiled springs 15, mounted between a flange 16 on plate 10 and suitable studs 17 on the plate 5, act to hold the locking or catch plate 1() in position to engage said members of the bag-supporting frame, To release said catch or locking device, the plate 10 is connected with one end of a rod 18, extending through a suitable passage in the handle 1 and having a ring or grip 19 connected with one end thereof. The ring or grip 19, which may be formed by bending the free end of the rod 18 upon itself, extends through a suitable slot in the handle 1 in position to be readily grasped by a finger of the operators hand when supporting said handle. By exerting a pull on this grip-piece 19 the catch or lock plate 10 will be moved longitudinally of the handle, withdrawing its fingers 13 from engagement with the members of the bag-supporting frame and permitting the latter to close under the pressure exerted by the springs 7, as before described.

IOO

The device is also provided with means by which the members of the bag-supporting frame may be moved to again open the mouth of the bag. As shown, a suitable cord 2() has its ends connected with eyes 'formed at the ends of the members of the bag-supporting frame, said cord extending through suitable guides 21, projecting laterally Afrom the upper surface of the plate 5. The cord 20 is of such length as to extend from the guides 21 to a point on the handle adjacent the aforesaid releasing device 19 and may, if desired, be provided with a ring 22, which can bereadily grasped by the person usingv the device. By exerting a pull-on the cord 2O the members of the bag-supporting frame will be rocked in their bearings on the plate 5 until the free ends thereol extend parallel to the plate 5, in which position they will be engaged by the iingers 13 ol the locking-plate 10, as before described. rlhe free ends of said fingers 13 are curved or beveled on their edges adjacent the bag-supporting frame and therefore as the free ends of said frame members are rocked upwardly the plate u10 will be moved longitudinally of the handle against the tension of its springs 15, which will immediately restore it to its original position as the ends of the 'trame members come opposite the notches 14.

The body of the handle 1 may, as shown, consist of a metallic tube through which the rod 18 extends.

The operation and manner of using the device will be readily understood from the foregoing description, in connection with the drawings. It will be seen that the user of the net may readily open and close the mouth of the bag at will and that when the mouth of the bag is closed the springs 7 eiiectually prevent its being opened by any force exerted from within.

What is claimed is- 1. A landing-net comprising a handle, a sectional frame connected with the handle, a bag supported by said frame, means acting to move the members of the l'rame to close the mouth of the bag, means for moving the members of the frame to open the mouth of the bag, and independent means l'or engaging said frame to hold the mouth of the bag open.

2. A landing-net comprising a handle, a sectional frame connected with the handle, a bag supported by said frame, means acting to move the members oi the Vl'rame to close the mouth of the bag, a locking device Jfor engaging the frame to hold the mouth of the bag open, and means for releasing said lock.

3. A landing-net comprising a handle, a sectional frame connected with the handle, a bag supported by said frame, means acting to hold said frame in position to close the mouth of the bag, a spring-pressed lock for engaging the lrrame to hold the mouth of the bag open, and means for releasing said lock.

1. A landing-net comprising a handle, a bag supported from said handle, means acting to normally close themouth of the bag, means for holding the mouth of the bag open, and devices on the handle for actuating both said means.

5. A landing-net comprising a handle, a bag supported beyond one end of the handle, means supported by the handle and acting to close the mouth of the bag, a device extending longitudinally of the handle and adapted to open the mouth ol the bag, a locking device for holding the mouth of the bagv open, and means for moving said locking device to and from operative position.

6. A landing-net comprising a handle, a frame having two members pivotally connected at one end, and each having at its other end a section mounted to rock in bearings on the handle, a bag supported by said frame, springs engaging said members of the bag-frame and acting to rock them in their bearings on the handle to close the mouth of the bag, and a catch or locking device movably mounted on the handle and adapted to engage said frame members to hold the mouth of the bag open against the force of said springs.

7. A landing-net comprising a handle, a

frame having two members pivotally connected at one end, and each having at its other end a section mounted to rockin bear ings on the handle, a bag supported by said frame, springs engaging said members of the bag-frame and acting to rock them in their bearings on the handle to close the mouth of the bag, a spring-pressed catch mounted on the handle and adapted to engage said bagframe when the mouth of the bag is open, and means for disengaging said catch from the bag-frame at will.

8. A landing-net comprising a handle, a

frame having two members pivotally con-v nected at one end, and each having at its other end a section mounted to rock in bearings on the handle, a bag supported by said frame, springs engaging said members of the bag-frame and acting to rock them in their bearings on the handle to close the mouth of the bag, a spring-pressed plate mounted on the handle to move longitudinally thereof and adapted to engage both members of the bag-'frame when the bag is open, and means adjacent the opposite end of the handle from the bag, for disengaging said catch from the arms of the bag-frame.

9. A landing-net comprising a handle, a bag supported beyond one end of the handle by a Jframe adapted to open or close the mouth of the bag, means acting to normally hold said frame in position to close the mouth of the bag, means connected with the bag IOO IIO

frameand extending toward the opposite end Inl testimony whereof We affix our signaof the handle from the bag to move said frame tures in presence of two Witnesses.

to open the mouth of the ba means for en- LUKE FRENCH.

gaging the bag-frame When t e mouth of the BARN EY T. REILLY. 5 bag is open, and means adjacent the oppo- Witnesses:

site end of the handle from the bag for releas- ADAM TURKES, Jr.,

ing said engaging means. HARRY SMITH. 

